DW3 is one of the greatest bands and recording artists in our genre and have become dear friends to so many in the music community, fans and musicians alike. Over the past 20 years, the founding members of this great band, Eric Mondragon, Billy Mondragon and Damon Reel, have brought so much musical joy to the fans of The Smooth Jazz Cruises, Spaghettini and venues throughout Southern California and across the globe. As you may have heard, they are dealing with some critical medical and family issues that have restricted their ability to perform and are threatening the future of their families. Eric Mondragon suffered a heart attack while performing this past New Year’s Eve. He is recovering but for the foreseeable future he will need to be under strict medical care and has to be very careful not to overexert himself in any way. Clearly, this will make it very difficult to perform and earn a living.   Billy Mondragon contracted COVID which put him in the ICU for and extended period of time. The illness developed into double pneumonia which he is currently struggling to recover from. As a singer, this is an extremely difficult situation and has curtailed his ability to perform dramatically.    Billy’s wife Irma also contracted COVID and has been in the ICU on a ventilator for over a month now. Billy and his children have not been able to see her at all and any communication with her has been very limited. Billy, while dealing with double pneumonia, is having to tend to his 2 children on his own including their 19 year old son who is autistic.  The likelihood of her survival is a daily topic.   Between their rapidly mounting medical bills and their current inability to work as they normally do, Eric, Billy and Damon are describing the situation for themselves and for their families as dire.  Now, it is our turn to try to bring joy to DW3. We have established this GoFundMe campaign for their benefit. As the Music Director of The Smooth Jazz Cruise and Blue Note at Sea Cruise, I am proud to announce that Jazz Cruises, the producer of those programs, is starting the ball rolling with a $10,000 contribution. It is our fervent hope that your contribution will help see them though this extremely difficult period. Thank you in advance for your support and generosity.

Vivian Gray

Betty Bennish

Petri Byrd

Susan Nussbaum

Philip DeSimone

Julie Dill

Deborah Flores

Jackie Bertone

Yvette Segura

Shelia Alvarez

Misa Smiles

Lisa Lang

Alan Lee

Michele Caskey

Christopher alexander

David Britz

M Pei Carpenter

Bridget Anderson

Graciela Patino

Cecilia Maldonado

DW3 Needs Our Help

DW3 Needs Our Help

Still $9,438 to go. Help us build momentum.